Download Earth and Environmental Science

2006
H I G H E R S C H O O L C E R T I F I C AT E E X A M I N AT I O N Earth and Environmental Science
Total marks – 100
General Instructions
• Reading time – 5 minutes
• Working time – 3 hours
• Write using black or blue pen
• Draw diagrams using pencil
• Board-approved calculators may
be used
• A Geological Time Scale
is provided at the back of this
paper
• Write your Centre Number and
Student Number at the top of
pages 13, 21, and 25
Section I
Pages 2–27
75 marks
This section has two parts, Part A and Part B
Part A – 15 marks
• Attempt Questions 1–15
• Allow about 30 minutes for this part
Part B – 60 marks
• Attempt Questions 16–26
• Allow about 1 hour and 45 minutes for this part
Section II
Pages 29–37
25 marks
• Attempt ONE question from Questions 27–30
• Allow about 45 minutes for this section
139
Section I
75 marks
Part A – 15 marks
Attempt Questions 1–15
Allow about 30 minutes for this part
Use the multiple-choice answer sheet.
Select the alternative A, B, C or D that best answers the question. Fill in the response oval
completely.
Sample:
2+4=
(A) 2
A
(B) 6
(C) 8
B
C
(D) 9
D
If you think you have made a mistake, put a cross through the incorrect answer and fill in the
new answer.
A
B
C
D
If you change your mind and have crossed out what you consider to be the correct answer, then
indicate the correct answer by writing the word correct and drawing an arrow as follows.
correct
A
B
C
– 2 –
D
1
What are some of the main hazards associated with volcanoes?
(A) Lahars, lava flows, thermal uplift
(B) Lahars, lava flows, poisonous gases
(C) Ash flows, fault movements, thermal uplift
(D) Ash flows, fault movements, poisonous gases
2
Which of the following explains why a change of climate occurs in the months following
a major explosive volcanic eruption?
(A) An increase in rainfall due to the loss of vegetation cover
(B) An increase in average temperature due to the heat released by the erupting volcano
(C) A decrease in average temperature due to the increase in fine particles reflecting
solar radiation
(D) A decrease in average temperature due to increased carbon dioxide absorbing heat
from the atmosphere
3
Which of the following best describes how continents can move large distances relative
to each other over geological time?
(A) Continental crust moves through oceanic crust due to mantle currents.
(B) Continental crust moves over the top of oceanic crust due to difference in densities.
(C) Lithospheric plates carrying continental crust collide at convergent margins
causing mountain building.
(D) Lithospheric plates carrying continental crust move due to the creation and
destruction of oceanic crust.
– 3 –
The map shows the distribution of epicentres of large-magnitude earthquakes.
70
0
20
40
60
80 100 120 140 160 180 –160 –140–120 –100 –80 –60 –40 –20 0
70
60
60
40
40
20
20
0
0
–20
–20
–40
–40
–60
–60
–70
0
20
40
60
80 100 120 140 160 180 –160 –140–120 –100 –80 –60 –40 –20 0
What does this distribution allow geologists to map?
(A) The edge of the continental crust
(B)
The boundaries between lithospheric plates
(C)
The location of convergent plate margins only
(D) The distribution of seismographs around the world
–4–
–70
Barazangi & Dorman, ‘World Seismicity Maps’,
Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 59, 369 (1969)
4
5
The diagram shows a model of a plate boundary represented as a ‘factory’.
Y
X
Z
‘The Subduction Factory: How it operates in the Evolving
Earth’ Yoshiyuki Tatsumi, GSA Today, V 15 no 7, July 2005 Page 4
Which of the following best identifies the aspects of the plate boundary depicted in the
diagram?
Type of
boundary
6
X
Y
Z
(A)
Convergent
Continental lithosphere
Oceanic lithosphere
Mantle
(B)
Divergent
Oceanic lithosphere
Crust
Core
(C)
Conservative
Continental lithosphere
Oceanic lithosphere
Crust
(D)
Convergent
Oceanic lithosphere
Continental lithosphere
Mantle
What does the principle of natural selection in the theory of evolution assume?
(A) Organisms will adapt to their environment during the course of their lifespan.
(B)
Complex organisms are more likely to survive changing environments than simple
organisms.
(C)
Organisms with adaptations best-suited to a changing environment will survive and
reproduce.
(D) Organisms will compete with each other for space in an ecosystem until just one
species remains.
–5–
7
Which graph best represents the relative length of the four eons?
(A)
Hadean
Archaean
Proterozoic
Phanerozoic
Time
(B)
Hadean
Archaean
Proterozoic
Phanerozoic
Time
(C)
Hadean
Archaean
Proterozoic
Phanerozoic
Time
(D)
Hadean
Archaean
Proterozoic
Phanerozoic
Time
– 6 –
8
In producing a stratigraphic sequence for a large region, a geologist used both absolute
(radiometric) and relative (fossil) age dating methods.
Why would both methods be used?
(A) Most fossils span geological timeframes of less than 1000 years.
(B) Radiometric age dates can only be obtained from some rock types.
(C) Fossil occurrences are required to calibrate the radiometric age dating.
(D) Radiometric age dates are required to determine the relative age range of fossils.
9
Which isotopic ratio provides evidence of the existence of life in rocks as old as
3.8 × 109 years?
(A) carbon 13 : carbon 12
(B) carbon 14 : carbon 12
(C) potassium 40 : argon 40
(D) uranium 235 : lead 207
10
Which statement best describes how populations of organisms change immediately
following a mass extinction?
(A) The number of new species rapidly increases because of changed environmental
conditions.
(B) The number of individuals in each species decreases but the number of species
remains the same.
(C) The number of individuals in each surviving species decreases and becomes less
widespread.
(D) The number of species continues to decline because conditions leading to mass
extinctions last a long time.
– 7 –
11
The graph illustrates an effect of a pesticide on some organisms, following spraying of a
cotton crop over a period of time.
Relative concentration of the
pesticide in the organism
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Cotton Beetle Lizard
plant
Eagle
Which process identifies this effect?
(A) Bioaccumulation
(B) Bioconsumption
(C) Biodegradation
(D) Biomagnification
12
Acid rain is mainly produced by the interaction of atmospheric moisture with which of
the following?
(A) Chlorofluorocarbons
(B) Nitrous oxides
(C) Ozone
(D) Sulfur dioxide
– 8 –
The graphs show variation in atmospheric concentration of some gases over the last
25 years.
CFC-12 at
Cape Grim, Tasmania
Atmospheric
concentration (ppt)
370
360
350
340
330
500
400
300
1985 1990 1995 2000
1985 1990 1995 2000
Carbon tetrachloride at
Cape Grim, Tasmania
Methane at
Cape Grim, Tasmania
Atmospheric
concentration (ppb)
Atmospheric
concentration (ppm)
Carbon dioxide at
Cape Grim, Tasmania
Atmospheric
concentration (ppt)
13
100
95
90
1700
1600
1500
1985 1990 1995 2000
1985 1990 1995 2000
Which of the following explains the changes in the concentrations of these gases since
the early 1990s?
(A) The introduction of the Kyoto Agreement
(B) The introduction of the Montreal Protocol
(C) The introduction of alternatives to pesticides
(D) The introduction of catalytic convertors in motor cars
– 9 –
14
Despite drought conditions, the Sydney Catchment Authority releases millions of litres
of water per day from Warragamba Dam into the Nepean River.
What is the main environmental purpose for this release?
(A) To maintain natural processes in surface waters
(B) To reduce the level of salinity of the dam water
(C) To maintain the amount of sedimentation in the river
(D) To reduce the possibility of erosion of the river banks
15
The graph shows the relationship between soil salinity and yield for four different crops
in a region of NSW.
30
25
ba
rle
y
wh
eat
20
Salinity (dS/m)
15
10
soy be
5
corn
an
0
0
20
40
60
80
100
Relative crop yield (%)
What conclusion can be drawn from the information presented in the graph?
(A) Crop yields are not affected by relative salinity levels below 10%.
(B) Salinity levels of 20 dS/m produce a 0% relative yield in all four crops.
(C) All four crops require a certain level of salinity to produce a 100% relative yield.
(D) Soy beans can produce a greater relative percentage yield than barley at high
salinity levels.
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© Board of Studies NSW 2006
2006 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFIC ATE EXAMINATION
Earth and Environmental Science
Centre Number
Section I (continued)
Part B – 60 marks
Attempt Questions 16–26
Allow about 1 hour and 45 minutes for this part
Student Number
Answer the questions in the spaces provided.
Marks
Question 16 (4 marks)
The graph shows the changes in global mean sea level (GMSL) for the years
1890–2000, and the timing of major volcanic eruptions during this period. Changes
in water temperature can cause short-term changes in GMSL.
Awaiting Copyright Clearance
(a)
Identify the overall trend shown for the GMSL data between 1890 and 2000.
1
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(b)
Explain the impact of major volcanic eruptions on global climate using
information from the graph to support your answer.
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140
– 13 –
3
Marks
Question 17 (5 marks)
The diagram shows the outline of a lithospheric plate (Plate A) containing a single
continent.
Plate A
N
1000 km
Key
Ocean trench
Direction of plate motion
X
Ocean ridge
Very young oceanic crust
Volcanoes erupting
andesite lava
Mountains
Rivers
Continental crust
(a)
Using the symbols provided in the key, clearly show on the diagram:
(i)
the direction of relative movement of Plate A;
(ii)
a location where volcanoes would typically erupt andesite lava; and
(iii)
a location where there is very young oceanic crust.
Question 17 continues on page 15
– 14 –
3
Marks
Question 17 (continued)
(b) Draw and label a diagram of a fault or fold that you would expect to find in the
northern part of Plate A.
End of Question 17
– 15 –
2
Marks
Question 18 (7 marks)
The diagram shows the position of the continents in the Permian and the present.
Awaiting Copyright Clearance
(a)
Describe TWO tectonic processes that have occurred during rearrangement of
the continents from the Permian to the present.
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Question 18 continues on page 17
– 16 –
4
Marks
Question 18 (continued)
(b) Use your knowledge of the plate tectonic super-cycle to predict a possible
arrangement of the continents 100 million years in the future. Justify your
predictions.
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End of Question 18
– 17 –
3
Marks
Question 19 (6 marks)
In your study of Earth and Environmental Science you presented a case study of a
natural disaster associated with tectonic activity.
Analyse the relationship between the tectonic event that caused the natural disaster
and the impacts on the environment. In your answer, you should name the tectonic
event.
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6
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© Board of Studies NSW 2006
2006 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFIC ATE EXAMINATION
Earth and Environmental Science
Centre Number
Section I – Part B (continued)
Student Number
Marks
Question 20 (7 marks)
(a)
Outline the main evolutionary changes that would be required for animals to
survive in terrestrial environments.
3
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(b)
(i)
The abundance and distribution of modern stromatolites is more limited
than that of ancient stromatolites.
1
Identify ONE piece of evidence that provides support for this statement.
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(ii) Explain the change in distribution and abundance of stromatolites.
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141
– 21 –
3
Marks
Question 21 (5 marks)
(a)
Outline TWO hypotheses used to explain the extinction of the Australian
megafauna.
2
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(b)
Assess ONE hypothesis used to explain the mass extinction at the end of the
Permian.
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– 22 –
3
Marks
Question 22 (6 marks)
(a)
Describe the diversity and number of organisms from a named fossil locality
that you have researched.
3
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Complete the following table by placing a ✕ in the era of the Phanerozoic in
which each of the life forms first appeared.
Eon
Phanerozoic
(b)
Era
Life Form
Land Vertebrates Flowering Homo Dinosaurs Amphibians
Plants
Plants
sapiens
Cenozoic
Mesozoic
Palaeozoic
– 23 –
3
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– 24 –
© Board of Studies NSW 2006
2006 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFIC ATE EXAMINATION
Earth and Environmental Science
Centre Number
Section I – Part B (continued)
Student Number
Marks
Question 23 (3 marks)
Discuss an alternative management practice to the use of pesticides.
3
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Question 24 (4 marks)
Assess a management strategy or a technology used to treat stormwater in order to
maintain natural processes in surface water.
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142
– 25 –
4
Marks
Question 25 (7 marks)
Using evidence that atmospheric change and the diversity of life have been related
in the past, analyse the possible consequences of recent human-induced atmospheric
change.
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– 26 –
7
Marks
Question 26 (6 marks)
The diagram and data show changes in water and salt balances following the clearing
of land for farming.
Before clearing
After clearing
Rainfall
Rainfall
Evapotranspiration
Evapotranspiration
Surface runoff
Surface runoff
Water
table
Rainfall
Subsurface flow
650–750 mm/year
Water
table
Rainfall
Subsurface flow
650–750 mm/year
Evapotranspiration 640–720 mm/year
Evapotranspiration 480–660 mm/year
Runoff
Runoff
Salt in surface
waters
100–300 L/min
0.001– 0.005 g/L
Salt in surface
waters
700–900 L/min
0.3–0.5 g/L
Analyse the effect of land-clearing indicated by the data.
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– 28 –
© Board of Studies NSW 2006
2006 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFIC ATE EXAMINATION
Earth and Environmental Science
Section II
25 marks
Attempt ONE question from Questions 27–30
Allow about 45 minutes for this section
Answer the question in a writing booklet. Extra writing booklets are available.
Pages
143
Question 27
Introduced Species and the Australian Environment ................ 30–31
Question 28
Organic Geology – a Non-renewable Resource ....................... 32–33
Question 29
Mining and the Australian Environment .................................. 34–35
Question 30
Oceanography ........................................................................... 36–37
– 29 –
Marks
Question 27 — Introduced Species and the Australian Environment (25 marks)
(a)
(b)
In this option you have gathered and analysed material from secondary sources
to summarise the quarantine methods used in Australia to control the
introduction of new species.
(i)
Outline the process by which you gathered relevant information,
identifying sources that you used.
2
(ii)
Describe how you were able to assess the reliability of the information
from these sources.
3
(i)
Construct a flow-diagram to outline how the Bradley method of bush
regeneration might be used to restore a site.
3
(ii)
On a field trip to a local ecosystem, a group of students collected the
following data in an area of 1 km2.
Gully 18°C, 150 lantana bushes in gully, 10 lantanas on slope. Slope
28°C, humidity in gully 70%, 50 wattle trees on slope, humidity on
slope 10%, 5 gum trees in gully, soil moisture content 30 g/kg in
gully, 30 gum trees on slope, soil moisture content on slope 1 g/kg,
light intensity in gully 50 lux, native grass 50 clumps on slope, 5 bitou
bushes on slope, 25 bitou bushes in gully.
(1) Identify the abiotic factors in the data.
1
(2) Using the data, explain the distribution of introduced species in this
ecosystem.
2
Question 27 continues on page 31
– 30 –
Marks
Question 27 (continued)
(c)
(d)
Justify methods, other than quarantine, for controlling the spread of introduced
animal species in Australia.
7
(i)
Identify TWO quarantine methods used in Australia to prevent the
introduction of new species.
1
(ii)
Explain how ONE of these quarantine methods operates.
2
(iii)
Assess the methods identified in part (i) on the prevention of introduction
of exotic species.
4
End of Question 27
– 31 –
Marks
Question 28 — Organic Geology – a Non-renewable Resource (25 marks)
(a)
(b)
In this option you have gathered and analysed material from secondary sources
to outline the methods and technologies used to locate fossil fuel reserves.
(i) Outline the process by which you gathered relevant information,
identifying sources that you used.
2
(ii) Describe how you were able to assess the reliability of the information
from these sources.
3
(i)
3
Construct a flow-diagram to outline the refining of petroleum, including
distillation and catalytic cracking.
(ii) The table shows the prices of oil and coal, and the amounts used for
electricity generation in an industrial country between 1970 and 2005.
Price of
crude oil
($/barrel)
Price of
coal
($/tonne)
1970
3
1975
Year
Relative consumption of fossil
fuel for electricity generation
Oil
Coal
5
2.1
7
10
11
3.9
8
1980
25
24
4.2
11
1985
28
33
2.5
14
1990
17
27
2.8
16
1995
17
26
2.7
18
2000
25
24
0.9
21
2005
65
22
0.4
30
(1) What is meant by the term fossil fuel?
1
(2) Using data from the table, explain the trends in the use of oil versus
coal in electricity generation.
2
Question 28 continues on page 33
– 32 –
Marks
Question 28 (continued)
(c)
(d)
Evaluate the continued use of fossil fuels in Australia.
7
(i)
Identify the difference between diagenesis and catagenesis in the
maturation of petroleum.
1
(ii)
Explain how petroleum accumulates.
2
(iii)
Assess methods for conserving energy.
4
End of Question 28
– 33 –
Marks
Question 29 — Mining and the Australian Environment (25 marks)
(a)
(b)
In this option you have gathered and analysed material from secondary sources
to identify the geological setting and main features of a mineral province.
(i)
Outline the process by which you gathered relevant information,
identifying sources that you used.
2
(ii)
Describe how you were able to assess the reliability of the information
from these sources.
3
(i)
Construct a flow-diagram to outline the methods used in the extraction
and concentration of ore from a NAMED mineral deposit.
3
(ii)
The table shows some data for the BNF Gold Mine over 2004–2005.
BNF Gold Mine Production
Quarter ending
Ore
mined
(t)
Average
grade
(g/t)
Gold
recovery
(%)
Total gold
production
(kg)
September 2004
55 549
19.4
98.0
1086
December 2004
65 207
18.2
93.6
1106
March 2005
64 325
14.9
95.1
905
June 2005
55 604
15.6
96.6
833
September 2005
59 587
13.7
91.0
743
(1) State what is meant by the term grade.
1
(2) Using data from the table, explain the variation in total gold
production over the time shown.
2
Question 29 continues on page 35
– 34 –
Marks
Question 29 (continued)
(c)
(d)
Evaluate the continuation of mining ore deposits in Australia. In your answer
you should refer to both the environmental and economic impacts.
7
(i)
Identify the difference between ore minerals and gangue minerals in an
ore deposit.
1
(ii)
Explain how changes in technology could affect the economic value of a
mineral deposit.
2
(iii)
Assess the impact of infrastructure on determining the feasibility of
mining of a NAMED ore deposit.
4
End of Question 29
– 35 –
Marks
Question 30 — Oceanography (25 marks)
(a)
(b)
In this option you have gathered and analysed material from secondary sources
to map and describe the range of temperatures and salinity levels in vertical and
horizontal zones of the Pacific Ocean.
(i)
Outline the process by which you gathered relevant information,
identifying sources that you used.
2
(ii)
Describe how you were able to assess the reliability of the information
from these sources.
3
(i)
Construct a flow-diagram to illustrate the movement of water, carbon
and oxygen between the oceans and the atmosphere.
3
(ii)
The table shows the concentration of O2 and CO2 , temperature, and
range in wavelength of light, at different depths in the ocean.
Depth
(m)
Dissolved
Carbon dioxide
(mL/L)
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mL/L)
Temperature Wavelength
of Light
(°C)
(nm)
0
4.2
46.0
17.0
400–680
200
1.0
49.0
17.0
420–600
400
0.5
50.0
10.0
450–550
600
0.7
50.5
7.0
–
800
0.7
51.1
5.0
–
1000
2.1
51.6
4.0
–
1200
2.4
51.8
4.0
–
(1) What is meant by the phrase attenuation of light?
1
(2) Using data from the table, explain why different communities of
organisms live at different depths in the ocean.
2
Question 30 continues on page 37
– 36 –
Marks
Question 30 (continued)
(c)
(d)
Evaluate why the abiotic characteristics of hydrothermal vents have resulted in
unique biotic communities.
7
(i)
Identify TWO types of sediment found in deep ocean environments far
away from continental margins.
1
(ii)
Explain how long-lived synthetic chemicals can be transported great
distances in the sea.
2
(iii)
Assess whether international laws about the oceans are necessary.
4
End of paper
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– 39 –
Geological Time Scale
EON
ERA
PERIOD
EPOCH
Holocene
0
Quaternary
2
Pleistocene
Pliocene
5
Cenozoic
10
20
30
Miocene
Tertiary
Oligocene
40
Ma BP
60
70
Palaeocene
Mesozoic
50
Phanerozoic
Eocene
100
200
Palaeozoic
300
400
500
1000
2000
Jurassic
Triassic
Permian
Carboniferous
Devonian
Silurian
Ordovician
Cambrian
Proterozoic
600
Cretaceous
3000
Archaean
4000
Hadean
– 40 –
© Board of Studies NSW 2006